A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Columbia vs. Moncton for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Columbia or Moncton?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Columbia or Moncton? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbia travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a compact, cultural, and quaint city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Moncton travel costs.

Columbia and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Moncton?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Moncton than Columbia. While Columbia is larger than Moncton, Moncton has more sights and attractions for tourists. Moncton is more popular for its food, while Columbia is known for its nightlife. Moncton is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities. It is also home to Tidal Bore Park. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Moncton and Columbia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Moncton?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Columbia and Moncton.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Moncton. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Moncton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Moncton is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Moncton. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Moncton is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Columbia has a few options to choose from. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Most people don't head to Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Moncton?

Both Columbia and Moncton are good shopping destinations.

Columbia offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Moncton has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Columbia or Moncton Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Moncton.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Moncton is a family-friendly city. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Columbia or Moncton Better for Couples?

Moncton is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Moncton makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Moncton Better for Students?

Columbia is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Moncton is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Moncton is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Moncton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia and Moncton offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Columbia or Moncton a more walkable city?

Moncton is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Moncton is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Moncton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Columbia or Moncton to fill your time. In our opinion, Moncton has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Moncton than Columbia. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Moncton than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Moncton, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Moncton than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Moncton that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Columbia or Moncton?

In Columbia, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Moncton offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Moncton?

In Columbia, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Columbia has to offer.

Moncton is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Moncton, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Moncton?

Columbia is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Moncton is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbia. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Moncton is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Moncton, we can see that Moncton is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Moncton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moncton than you might in Columbia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Moncton?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Moncton. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Moncton, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Columbia or Moncton?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Columbia or Moncton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Moncton. Most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Moncton because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Columbia is a little warmer than Moncton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Moncton averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Moncton. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

In October, Columbia is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Moncton fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Columbia usually receives less rain than Moncton. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Moncton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. Columbia is much warmer than Moncton in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Moncton fluctuates around -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbia usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Moncton.

Moncton can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Columbia is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Moncton averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Moncton. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Columbia